Stagecoach Manchester’s Daw Bank garage has been presented with the Gold Environmental Business Pledge award by Stockport Council in partnership with community charity, Groundwork, in recognition of its commitment to creating a cleaner, greener Stockport. They were honoured with the award following its recent investment into environmentally friendly hybrid buses for the 192 route.

The depot, which is the first Stockport based company to be awarded the green accolade, was also recognised for its work with the community, training its staff members in environmental issues and the development of internal ‘green teams’, which promote eco-friendly causes within the company’s depots.

Earlier this year, as part of a £11.3m investment, Stagecoach Manchester introduced 12 of the new hybrid buses onto the 192 route, with a further 28 due in March, all emitting 30 per cent less carbon than a standard vehicle.

Christopher Bowles, managing director of Stagecoach Manchester, said: “As a transport provider we have great respect for the area that we operate in and we take our environmental responsibilities very seriously. Being presented with the gold award is a fantastic achievement for everyone who works at Stagecoach Manchester, especially the team at the Stockport depot.

“Now that we have achieved gold standard, we are going to continue working hard as a company to improve our green credentials and ensure that we keep the environmental impact of our operations to a minimum.

“All of our green initiatives, including the new hybrid buses, have been implemented while still maintaining high satisfaction rates as well as catering for raising passenger numbers, demonstrating our commitment to providing excellent service, as well as environmental issues.”

Talking about the award, Michael White, account manager at Groundwork, said: “We have been really impressed with Stagecoach Manchester’s commitment to improving the local environment. It demonstrates the difference a local company can make to the community and surroundings.

“The new buses, alongside its other initiatives, highlight that the green agenda is an important part of the company’s overall business structure, which is extremely encouraging.”

Councillor Sue Derbyshire, leader of Stockport Council, added: “It is wonderful to see a Stockport based company showing such a commitment to improving the local environment. We are looking forward to continuing to work with Stagecoach Manchester and the team at the Stockport depot again in the future.”

I’ve yet to have that joy. If you have a System One pass, how do you access the free WiFi if, for instance, the password’s on a single ticket or a Manchester Megarider? Is it unsecured and searchable with any mobile device (which I think is most likely, as I cannot imagine each bus having separate WiFi passwords).

It’s likely to be a semi pictorial entry with the obligatory bus shots and other geeky references like download speeds. As part of the test, it would involve all the usual stuff passengers are likely to browse on the 192 (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, football results, the odd YouTube clip, emails, reserving an item through Argos’ website).